Cilic: Favouritism not a factor in Federer Australian Open success

Marin Cilic has dismissed any notion that the Australian Open organisers favoured Roger Federer in the 2018 final. 

Federer stormed to his 20th Grand Slam title in Melbourne, beating Cilic 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 6-1 in an epic battle.

Controversy reigned, though, with organisers’ decision to close the roof after Cilic had warmed up outside in the extreme heat coming under the microscope, especially given that Federer had done his warm-up indoors.

However, speaking at a news conference in Istanbul where he announced he’d defend his Istanbul Open title in May, Cilic poured cold water on any suspicions of foul play.

Cilic: (Avustralya Açık finali hakkında) Çatı kapalıyken bu kadar farklı olacağını düşünmemiştim. Ben turnuvada hiç çatıyla oynamamıştım, Roger birkaç maç oynamıştı. Ama ona bir ayrıcalık tanındığını düşünmüyorum.

— onur akmeric (@onurakmeric) February 1, 2018

“I didn’t realise it’d feel so different indoors,” Cilic admitted.

“I had never played indoors there before. Roger did several times. I don’t think however there was favouritism toward him on the tournament’s part.”